A fearsome crop of former Robbinsville softball talents are each preparing to suit up at the collegiate level.
Abigail Knight (Boston College) and Mikayla Morgan (Brevard) are being flanked in the NCAA ranks by Class of 2021 players Gabby Hooper (Brevard) and Maggie Knight (Chattanooga State), showing just how strong the last few years of Lady Knights softball has been.
“If early fall practices are any indication, all four of these Lady Knights will play prominent roles on their collegiate teams,” Robbinsville High School head coach Billy Knight said.
“The impact they made and are continuing to make for female athletes in Graham County is enormous.”
As a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Abigail picked up a role in the starting lineup as a freshman. After battling through a shoulder injury – and being redshirted during her sophomore season as a result – she is healthy and ready to make an impact for the Eagles.
“The team environment looks so much better than the previous years and I’m really excited to see how we’re going to compete,” Abigail said. “Thanks to summer ball, I’ve been feeling like I was in a groove, so now I’m just adjusting to in-person classes. The year looks very promising.”
For both Hooper and Morgan, the chance to compete at the collegiate level is special.
But to play for the same USA South team is remarkable.
“It’s going great; I really like the team,” Hooper said. “We start official practice soon and I’m super excited for that. Playing with Mikayla again has been super fun, and I can’t wait to see what we and the team accomplish, and how we play this coming spring!”
“It is going great so far; getting back in the groove of things really didn’t take that long for me,” Morgan said. “To be back out on the field with Gabby makes me so happy. We are going to kill it this year.”
In her initial venture to Chattanooga State, Maggie is looking to make an impact at the junior college level.
“College is going wonderfully so far,” Maggie said. “I am making lots of friends and getting close with my teammates. I am so excited for this coming fall and spring season.”
“These four young women are laying the groundwork for future girls who dream of playing college softball,” coach Knight added. “They know how important it is for the ones who follow in their footsteps to be the leaders they can look to for their own journeys.
“As a coaching staff, we could not be more proud of them for all they have given to our softball program. It takes a lot of work and dedication to make it to this level, and even more to stay there.”